Target baseball



, Allg 5, l941 J. P. TARBox 2,251,305

TARGET BASEBALL Va sheets-sheet 1 Filed May 27, 1937 Aug 5 1941 J. P.TARBox 2,251,305

TARGET BASEBALL Filed May 27, 193'? 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 oeooooooaoomcarcan- @096m Aug 5, 1941. J. P. TARBOX TARGET BASEBALL Filed May 27,1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 EN@ mij @E OH INVENT OR.

wmDm OP mwN aan

..50 mgmm O Q mr w Filed May 27, y1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 NVENTOR.

AAug 5, 1941.

J. P. TARBOX TARGET BASEBALL Filed Hay 27, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 FICIiOJEICIQ u 102 M INVENTQR.

HCH/L.

ICI 13.

Aug 5, 1941. J. P. TARBox TARGETVBASEBALL Filed Hay 27, 1937 8Sheets-Sheet 7 SCORE BLUES SCURES RED.

11234567891H121BMFmw/...

/OOOOOOO 00000 SCORES INVENTOR.

32116.16 mlm' 23456789hn 5m Aug 5 1941- J. P. TARBox TARGET BASEBALLFiled May 27, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

mmx NEM 4Patented Aug. 5, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 TARGETBASEBALL .lohn P. Tarbox, Philadelphia, Pa. Application May ,27, 1937.Serial No.r145,119 ls claim.l (cl`.z'1:'.-1oz.z)v

'Ihe ball throwing game of my invention is devised with especialreference to improvement This simulation is attained jointlythe plays ofthe game and its scoring in a manner almost, if not quite so complete,as that employed in a real baseball game. Base running both to andbetween bases is simulated upon the diamond display. Running on safeplays ixes display on safe arrival at base. Running on outs playsterminates without fixing arrival at the base. Registering displays ofstrikes, balls," outs, innings" and scoring of opposing teams areafforded, all inter-related precisely as in the actual game. Even theplay of four balls results in a "runs display giving safe display onfirst base and advancement of any runner previously on first base. Stillfurther, enlivenment is provided through the duplex constitution of thediamond displays and the innings" and scorings" displays in colorsalternately used on alternate innings to represent opposing teams.

II. The constitution of such a game in a form generally adapted forindoor use in dimensions and quarters of any available accommodation,from the accommodation of the nickel in the slot spring projected ballgames, through the room length portable installation, and by way of theaccommodations of the varying sized stalls of amusement parks andvacation resorts (such as skee ball and hand ball`type gaming stalls) tofull length throwing alleys which will accommodate a full pitched ball,even to the accommodation of the Well known bowling alley.

III. The end of utmost simplicity, reliability, economy, and freedomfrom installation costs and supervisions incident to underwriter andmunicipal engineering, construction and power regulations. This latteris attained by an organization utilizing the power in the projected ballto do most of the work of operation of the mechanisms through which thedisplays are effected, and low voltage lights to efl'ect the'displays,of the order for example, from 10 to 20 volts. Thus the transformer of atoy train can be utilized to supply the electric power. There followsnot only a low cost of installation but also a low cost of maintenance.

The accompanying 4drawings disclose those forms of my invention now bestknown to me.

Figure lis a three quarter perspective view from the right with theright side broken away,

ot the installation oi my game in a stall or an lalley ol an amusementpark or vacation resort,

the showing being that of a room having one end open as common in suchstalls and the other end closed, the target and display board of thegame being provided at the closed end.

Figure 2 is a similar perspective three quarter i view from the right ofa skee ball type of installation of my game.

Figure 3 is a detail longitudinal vertical section (in the main) ofcertain of the paths coursed by the ball at the foot of the displayboard of Figure l. (This section is approximately on line 3-3 oi.'Figure 3b in rear view of the portion of the board.)

Figure 3a is a top plan view oi the portions of the pathway shown inFigure 3 in which the left hand portion of the top coverings have beenremoved to show in full lines the horizontally extending portions of thepaths.

Figure 3b is a rear view of those portions of the gisplay board and thepaths shown in Figure Figure 4 is a similar view to that of Figure 3showing in cross section in a longitu vertical plane paths coursed bythe ball in connection with the skee ball installation of Figure 2.

Figure 4a is a cross sectional detail of one of the troughs deilningtheir paths shown in Figrality of paths P commonly coursed by aprojected ball and showing super-imposed thereon diagrammatically thevarious display operating devices, T the unit play integrating device inthe form of an electric switch, R the various display registers, and Ooperating means for the device T and the display registers R located inthe courses of the ball over the various paths P.

Figures 6, '7 and 8 are, respectively, top plan, transaxial section online 1-1, and section on line 8-8 of Figure 6 or the unit integratingdevice T of Figure 5.

Figure 8a is a perspective of a wire crank.

Figures 9 to 14 are a series of diagrammatic i1- lustrations in planview as respects the device T, o! various of the operations of thedevice T related principally to home plate conditions of the game.

Figure l5 is a diagrammatic enlargement of the details of organizationand operation of the display registers R of Figure 5.

Figure -16 is adiagram'of the electric circuits of connection betweenthe electric switch which is constituted the integrating unit T and abaseball diamond display A and between the display registers R and thelamps of the associated play and scoring displays Y. v

Figure 17 is a showing in perspective of the lever link crank mechanismwhich prevents scoring on three outs."

Figure 17a is a showing in perspective in another position of the leverand crank mechanism of Figure 17. l

Figure 18 is a diagram similar to Figure 5 superseding mechanicaloperating means by electrical operating means O associated with thepaths P coursed by the ball.

Let us examine ilrst the perspective views of full installationsportrayed in Figures 1 and 2 and the manner of playing the game. 'I'hegame in the stall type shown in Figure 1 is played by pitching balls 46.taken from trough 4| and counter 42, one by one v ai'. the target 43 inthe face of the display board`44 at the closed end of -the stall. Theplayers purchase from an attendant or through a slot mechanism a numberof balls with which to play the game. 'I'hey stand before the counter 42and throw the ball at the target 4I upon any desired projectory and atany desired velocity. The target 43 is in the form of a plurality ofconcentrically arranged receptacles 45, 46 received in the face of thedisplay board 44 and discharging to the rear thereof as appears inFigure 3. The aim of the player is to hit. if possible, the centralreceptacle 45, the

, bulls eye of the receptacle type target. Failing this, the ball may bereceived by the annularly surrounding receptacle 46, or may even strikethe face oi' the display board 44 and drop to a trough shaped receptacle41. In any case it is discharged from the receptacles 45, 46 and 41 by asystem of channels 46, 46 and 50, respectively, to the pathscollectively designated P which are located in housing 5i extending fromthe display board 44 to the counter 42. Over the ball paths P containedin the housing 5|, the projected ball courses in common, sometimes overone path and sometimes over another. In its varying coursings on thepaths P it variably operates the diamond display A and the various playandvscoring and register displays Y indicated as mounted upon thedisplay board 44 about the target 45, 46. The integrating device T andthe registering display devices R are located in the raised portion 52of the housing 5I immediately above the paths P, in which position theyare most directly operable from the operating .devices O associated withthe paths P as appearing in Figure 5.

In the skee ball form of the game shown in Figure 2, the balls 40 arecontained in a trough 4i at the fore end ol the skee alley 53 and thepaths P and the mechanisms O, T and R are housed beneath the flooring 54of the alley 53. The target receptacles 45, 46 and the diamond display Dare received in the face of the inclined target board 55 of the generalform and dimension commonly found in skee ball installations. The playand scoring displays Y are received upon the face of a verticalextension 56 from the inclined board 55. Intermediate the inclined boardv515 and the alley flooring 54 at the juncture between the alleyflooring v54 and the inclined board 55. the alley flooring 54 is given arise 51 providing Jog 56 vbetween it and the inclined board 55 which isconstituted trough 41 as clearly appears in Figure 4. Figurev 4 alsoshows the return channels 48, 49 and 50 associated respectively, withreceptacles 45, 46 and 41 in their relation to the paths l1: containedbeneath the -iiooring 54 of the alley 53. In this skee ball type ofinstallation the game is played either by throwing a pitched baliatvelocity, or a tossed ball, or a skee rolled ball, as indicated by therespective ltrajectories designated 59. 60 and 6I.

In each form of game the action is rapid and enlivening. The projectedball courses through the several receptacles 45, 46, 41, in accordancewith the relative accuracy of the throw and in its return course by wayof channels 46.,` 46 and 56, and follows to some extent at random and tosome extent, asl will be seen later, influenced by the accuracy of thethrow, one of the 'various paths P on its return course toward lthethrower. On paths P it engages operating means O and operates theintegrating unit T and the various play and scoring registers R. Firstthe integrating device T is operated, progressing the illumination fromthe home plate position H by successive stages 62 to the ilrst baseposition F and thence by yet other immediate progressive stages 62ultimately to home plate H and a scoring. If Athe run should be a homerun illumination is progressed successively to second base position S,3rd base position D, then on again to the home plate H, and immediatelyupon the reaching of the display illumination at the home plate H ascore is registered on the board for either the Reds" or -the Blues, asthe case may be. So are registered in accordance with the paths Pcoursed by the ball successively but variably, strikes, balls, outs, andyet further scores, until on three outs the innings display is changed.'I'he diamond and innings displays initially illumined say in red asshown by theblack dots. then immediately shift to blue, as shown by theopen circles, and further play results in diamond display for the Bluesand scoring for the4 Blues, the scoring for the Reds remainingundisturbed.

Reverting now to Figures 3 and 4. it will be seen that the coursing ofthe ball from target receptacles 45, 46, 41 through the channels 46, 49,50 is an organized one. 'I'he channels 46 and 56 leading fromreceptacles 45 and 41, respectively, are interchangeably connectedthrough hinged gate 63, 63a with single trough S (meaning strike) of thepaths P, and the group at large consisting of eight parallelly extendingtroughs designated, respectively. FS, F0, DS, D0, HS, HO, SS and SO(which designations refer to safe and out conditions connected,respectively. with rst base F. second base S, third base D and homeplate or fourth place H). 'I'hese latter can be denominated the hitsgroup of paths P.

` Gate 63, 63a is simply a hinged board, the hinge 64 clearly appearingas arranged at an angle of inclination transversely of the channels 46and 56 in such manner that it serves as the one wall of a trough tocoursethe ball when desired, to an aperture 65 (or 65a) through which itcourses to path S, identified with strikes Operation of the gate 63,63a, is by means of a lever 66 alongside paths P (see Figs. 1 and 2)connecting by link B1 with the gate arm 66. Gate 63. 63a is duplex, onehalf hinged in channel 46 and the other in channel 56. From that half 63hinged in channel 56 the ball is coursed along the face of the gate anddropped into the aperture 65 of the "strike" path S. When this half ofthe gate 88 is opened parallel to channel lll the ball is free to dropthrough channel lill into the region of paths FS, FO, SS, SO, etc., thehits paths.

Similarly, whenever the half gate 88 in channel 50 is transversely ofthat channel, closing it, l

the half 89a in channel is opened parallel to channel 48 as clearlyappears. When gate 88a is opened parallel to channel 48 the ball is freeto drop to course in the hits channels' FS, FO, SS, etc., whereas whenthe gate is athwart channel 48 the ball is carried along the incline ofthe gate to drop through a second aperture "d (see Fig. 3a) again intothe strikes path S.

Thus the bulls eye target receptacle 45 may be alternated in functionbetween relation to Strikes and relation to hits" with the troughreceptacle 41, with the result that players may play the game with or.without taking sides. If no sides are taken, as for example, when a manPlays the game alone, target receptacle l45 ls associated with hitspaths FS, etc., in order that the player may score through accuracy ofpitching to the bulls eye ci. the target. If sides are taken, bulls eye45 is associated withvthe "strikes channel S, whereby the accuracy ofthe pitchers throw may be utilized to strike out his opponent.

The annular receptacle 48 surrounding the bulls eye receptacle 45 isconnected always through channel 48 and a laterally extending inclinedtrough 69 through an aperture 18 with that one of the paths P,designated also B, associated with the display registry of balls".forthe entire game. This path B is intermediate the path S and the first ofthe hits paths, FS, this first one being that associated with one basehit as distinguished from 2, 3 and 4 base hits. (See again Figure 5.)

The lateral extent of the several lchannels 48, 49 and 58 and theirrelation to the lateral extent of-the several paths S, B, and the groupof paths FS, FO, etc., is best shown in the plan views, Fig. 3acorresponding to Fig. 3 and depicting in plan as if in section takenon'line 8a, 3a of Fig. 3, the general direction and extent oi' the pathsP and the openings in the covering Wall 1| of these paths through whichthe ball courses as it is discharged from the channels 48,' '49 and 58.Thus there appear more extended apertures or approaches 12 and 13, whichwhen either gate halves 83 are opened, respectively communicate withthe'broad channel 14 which leads to that group of paths P designated,respectively FS, FO, etc. 'I'hese latter paths are `defined by a seriesof vertical partitions forming channel-shaped troughs. These partitionsas appears clearly in each of Figures 31a and 4a, and in Figures 3 and4, emanate from that portion of the channel 14 which lies in advance ofthe foremost of the apertures 85, 12. 18. etc. through which thechannels 48, 49 and 88 communicate therewith. Moreover,v the partitions15 are started on a gradual upward sweep from the ooring 18 of thepaths, and as shown in detail in Figure 4b taken on line 4-b, 4-b ofFig. 3a, are of inverted V-cross section on their upper edges, wherebyapproaching balls are not stopped by the partition as they course alongas might be if the partitions rose abruptly irom the flooring 18, andare not jammed between them and the cover 1|, butv if they engage thepartitions 15 at all, ride upwardly but for a moment and then fail toone side or` another of the V- shaped edge to course Vfully and freelyalong one 0f the paths FS, F0, which partitions 18 define.

The operating means O -for the display system at large are located inthe paths P. In the form of my invention shown (see Fig. 5),v these areshown to be a system of oscillable flaps 11 which are suspended acrossthe paths P from a system of oscillable shafts 18, journaledtransversely of the tops of the partition walls 18 which deilne thepaths. These flaps '|'I shown diagrammaticaliy as projecting to someextent at least horizontally from the shaft 18, actually depend from theshafts downwardly into the 'troughs 15. In this position, they will bestruck by the balls coursing the paths P deiined by these troughs.

All of the flaps I1 are flxedly connected to the shafts, and most of theshafts (all of those in the group of paths FS, F0, etc.) are providedwith a multiple number of flaps. Each flap struck by the ball insuccession as it courses upon any given path, is raised by the ball, theball passing under it and to the next succeeding nap, etc., etc., andthe raising of the nap oscillates the shaft which supports it. Eachshaft is provided with a. lever 19 or a crank which has a lost motionconnection with a common sliding bar 80 mounted for longitudinalreciprocation. The arm 19 appearing by virtue of the diagrammaticshowing to extend in the horizontal plane, actually extends downwardly,depending from the shafts 18 as do the flaps 11. Likewise, the bar 88appearing by reason of the diagram to be edgewise in the horizontalplane, is arranged vertically edgewise in the general vertical plane ofthe various ratchet and pawl mechanisms with which it is associated. Theconnection as illustrated is by the bearing of the levers 19 freelyagainst one side only of pins 8|, whereby oscillation of the shafts 18in one direction positively moves the bar but oscillation in theopposite direction may take place without moving the bar. I'husconversely, the bar may. be freely reciprocated from any one of theflaps 11 but does not through its reciproca'ticn ailect oscillation ofany of the shafts 18 excepting the one involved. Thus reciprocating bar80 is utilized to operate the unit integrating device T from which thediamond display yA is operated and certain oi' the registering displaysare controlled. Let us now examine the device T.

As appearing in Figures 5y and 6 to 8, more particularly in Figure 5 forthe moment, device T consists of an electric step-by-step switch of fourblades 82 having a common electrical connection Il with each other.'I'hese blades sweep over or past a series of electric contact-s 84 andenect the energization of various electric circuits connected withcontacts 84. There are, as shown, I8 of these contacts 84 designed tocontrol |8 electric circuits, four for each base run ofa baseballdiamond. Step-by-step movement for the contacts 82- is provided bymounting themA on axis shaft 85 to which step-by-step motion is impartedfrom a ratchet and pawl 88, 81. This ratchet and pawl is operatedthrough a linkage connection 88 with *the reciprocating common bar 88 ofthe depending flap operating mechanism O. In fact, the ratchet and pawlmay be said to be a part of the operating mechanism O at large. p v

In detail with especial reference to Figures 6 'to 8, the step switchintegrating unit T is comprised of a base 89 in the center of which theaxis shaft 88 is rotatably Journaled in a suitable 75.' bearing 98. Thefour switch arms 82 are mount- 4the rotatable axis 85, preferably theupper side wardly from 'the base 89 on a circle about the axis 85 andhaving terminals 92 beneath the base for electrical connections. Theaxis 85 likewise has a terminal 83 for its electrical connection.

Each one of the switch arms 82 is in the form of a leaf springoscillably xed at one end, 94. to the side of the mounting disc 9| andborne under spring pressure normally toward engagement with contacts 84by fixed pins 95 carried by the mounting disc and bearing upon theirradially inner faces in such manner as to develop a spring pressure oftheir free ends against the contacts 84 as shown in the instance ofcertain of the contacts in Figure 5 and in full lines in Figure 6 in theinstance of one of the contacts on the upper left.

However. blades 82 are not normally permitted to rest on contacts 84 butare variably permitted to engage the contacts 84 by a correspondingseries of blade-enabling mechanisms 98. These mechanisms are essentiallysmall cranks of bent wire of a substantial gauge journaled in their mainbodies in transverse bearings 91 on the periphery of the mounting disc9| and substantially parallel to the axis 85. A crank arm 98 engages thebalde 82 on one side of disc 9|. A crank arm 99 on the other side ofdisc 9| serves as an operating means for the crank 96. This latter crankarm is variously engaged by systems of "on" and ofi stops |99 and |9|.respectively,

projectible into and out of the path of movement of the crank arm 99from the base 89. When crank arm 98 is moved to point radially inwardlyas shown in the instance of the upper and left hand blades 82, Fig. 6,these blades are flexed overfpins 95 as fulcrums (the cranks lyingtoward the free ends of the blades from the biasing pins 85) to removethe free ends of the blades from passage over contacts 84. They areretained in this position through engagement of the crank arms 98 insmall inward oisets |92 in the plates. When the cranks 98 are reverselyoperated to carry the arms 98 in positions tangent to the blades 82, asshown in the lower and right sides of Figs. 6 and 1, the blades aresprung into contact with contacts 84.

The on stop |99 is in the form of a pin or wire projecting through slot|93 in the base 89 and reciprocable asso projected back and forth alongthe length of the slot |93. At the inward extremity of slot |93projection |99 lies in the paths of the crank arms 99 when crank arms 98are engaged in the oiisets |92 in the blades 82, and the blades are inoff.positions, not contacting with the studs 94. Each crank arm 99 insuch position, as disc 9| is rotated counter-clockwise, may come intocontact with stop |99 and thereby be operated counter-clockwise todis-engage arm 98 from the offset |92 and permit blade 82 to spring intoon position, contacting with the stud 84. However. when the stop |99 isat the outward end of slot |93, instead of engaging crank arm 99 it willengage the crank arm extension therefrom designated |94, in the instanceof any crank 95 which approaches stop |99 in the on position, therebymoving crank 96 clockwise until arm 98 again engages offset |92 andmoves the associated blade 82 to oil position. The so-called on stop |99is normally in the on position at the inward end of. slot |93 but may bemoved temporarily to the oil position at the oilset end of slot |93 byreciprocation of wire oru rod |95 of which it is of integral rightangular extension. Rod 95 is carried in clip type bearings I98 beneaththe base 89.

'Ihe normal oil" stops |9|I are in the form of wire pins projectibleinto and out of the paths of crank arms |94 by the oscillation of crankshafts of bent wire |91. of which they are a part. These lcrank shaftsare mounted in Journals |98 beneath the base for oscillation throughconnections to crank arms |98, whereby the arms I i9 from which thestops l9l are extended, are oscillated to project stops |9| verticallyfrom the upper side of the base 89 or to withdraw the stops within slots||9'. There are four of these oscillable stops |9| provided atsubstantially 99 to each other, one in connection with each of the studs84 connected with the bases of the diamond display A. These particularstuds 84 are subdesignated by coupling number 84 with the letterdesignating the bases of the diamond A (see Fig. l) thus 84H designatingthe stud controlling the circuit of the home plate display H. 84Fdesignating the stud controlling the circuit of the first base display,etc. Stops |9| in the embodiment shown are indicated as located just in.advance of these studs 84H, 84F, etc. It is to be noted that thedirections of oscillation of the olf stops |9| connected with studs 84Fand 84D are such that when in projected position, engagement of thecranks |94 tends to maintain them in projected position; and in thecases of those stops |9| associated with 84H and 84S the directions ofoscillation are on lines generally tangential to the path of movement ofthe cranks |94, whereby when pressed upon by cranks |94 they aresupported in upright position by the side walls of the slots ||9.

The mechanism for operating the four ofi stops |9| (see now Fig. 5)consists of four independent flaps respectively located in the outsseries of paths P identified with the four bases, respectively paths HO,FO. SO and DO. Each of these ilaps is connected, respectively, to thestop |9| identied with the corresponding stud 84H, 94F, etc. Connectionin each case is by means of crank arms H2, wire links ||3 and lostmotion wire loops ||4 into which the crank arms |99 of cranks |91 areprojected. The loops |4 are of such length that when the bali coursingin one of the paths HO, etc., strikes a flap and operating through link||3, oscillates shaft |91 to carry stop |9| into the path of a crank|94, and coursing on of the ball leaves the flap the flap on its returncarries loop ||4 backward without backward movement of stop |9|. It isassumed that the friction of the cranks |91 in their bearings |98 issuch as to hold stops |9| in position against this backward movement ofthe loops ||4, and those stops |9| remain in their operated positionsuntil retracted by another mechamsm.

This other mechanism for retracting stops |9| consists of a system ofcomplemental loops ||5 also threaded over cranks |99 and connected bywire linkages ||6 and crank arms ||1 commonly with an oscillatingrelease shaft ||8 having a crank and link connection ||9, |29, |2|(follow Fig. 5) with a common release shaft |22 journaled transverselyof the paths P a distance |23 behind (to the left in our diagram) of thehindmost flap 11 of the operating mechanism O. The shaft |22 is providedwith flaps |24 depending across each one of the eight paths identifiedwith the bases displays of the diamond A. Thus FS,

F0. ss, s0, etc.. each is provided with a nap |24 on shaft |22. The lostmotion relation of the loops ||5 to the stops |0| is the opposite ot theloops I I4. with the result that when acrank arm |09 of a stop |0| hasbeen moved through a loop ||4 to project the stop, it Vhas been moved toa position in loop ||5 from which it may be next operated to retractstop operated by a movement of loop I| opposite to the movement of loop||4, a movement brought about through the coursing of the ball intoengagement with one of the ilaps |24. Passing ilap |24 the ball releasesthe nap, and the dimension o! loops ||5 is such that (friction of shafts|01 again coming into play to hold stops |0| in retracted position)loops ||5 return to the normal relative position with respect to loops||4. Thus through the lost motion of the loops projection and retractionof stops |0| is brought about by the respective flaps |24 withoutinterference with each other, thereby permitting stops |0| to remain ineach case in the position to which moved by the one flap until thatposition is changed by the other ilap.

The on stop |00 is operated out of and again into "on position byconnection of the :wire link |05 with cranks |25 and |25, respectively.'I'he connection in each case is by means of passage of the link |05through wire loops in the engaged ends of the crank shafts |25, |25 andengagenient of the loops by the abutments |21, |28 on the link |05.Crank |26 is oscillable from the movable element of a clutch |28 betweenthe manually operable handle |29 and the shaft 85 of the integratingswitch unit T. Crank |25 is oscillated by the wire link connection |3|with an cscillablecrank or lever |32 engaged to produce its oscillationby a register device |33. Register device |33 registers a limited numberoi the reciprocations of the bar 50 of the operating mechanism O. Thatis to say, it registers a limited number of coursings of a projectedball over the paths P and hence a limited number of movements of theintegrating switch unit T. The device |33 consists of a longitudinalreciprocable bar having ratchet teeth |34 on one edge engaged by anactuating pawl |35 carried from the bar t0. Pawl |35 is normally held indis-engaged position by a shield plate |35, but whenever the bar 80 isretracted following a step of switch unit T, pawl |35 leaves the shield36, engages a tooth of ratchet |34 and moves the bar |33 one stepforward. There the bar is held by a pivoted retaining pawl |31. Pawl |31may be released through a pull on wire link |39 from crank arm |39 on anoscillating shaft |40 provided commonly with one flap |4| in each of thechannels of the hit series FS, FO, SS etc. Thus whenever in one case aprojected ball courses under the flaps 11, a determinate number oftimes, the register |33 operates lever |32 to move stop |00 from its onposition toward the center of the switch unit T and to an oil positionaway from the center of the switch T. Thus whenever switch Tis operatedby the manual crank |29 the same is true. After release from any suchoperation stop |00 is always restored to its on position toward the axesof switch T, by the restoring spring |42.

Each one of the studs 84 of the integrating switch unit T is connectedby a conductor |43 (see now Fig. 16) commonly lwith a corresponding pairof lamps 62 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 16) of the diamond display A on thedisplay board 44, whereby as the integrating switch unit T is 02 areillumined in succession.

stepped from one stud 94 to another, the lamps 'I'he lamps associatedwith the respective base positions are provided with appropriate suilixdesignations, thus 52H, 521i', etc., corresponding to those used inconnection with other parts identiiled with base positions. One lamp oi.each pair is one color and the other another, as for example, red andblue. All lamps of la given color are connected to a common returncircuit, thus |44 'for the red lamps and |45 for the blue lamps of thediamond display. A common power connection -93 is provided for theswitch arms 52 shown in dotted lines in Mg. 16, but dual powerconnections |41, |48 are provided for the respective common returncircuits |44, |45. These dualk power connections are shown, Fig. 5, tohave connection with the inningsf register presently to be described. v

In the connection |49 o! the home plate lamps 62H, however, there isprovided a loop |49 which extends, Fig. 5, to a switch |50 operable fromthe register device |33, the same register-device |33 which controls theon stop |00 as just now described. Also operated from this register |33is a switch |5| which controls the loop |52 in the circuit of thebatters up" lamps |53 (see again Fig. 16). The arrangement of switches|50, |5| is such with respect to loops |49, |52 that after apre-determined number oi' registers of device |33 power is cut from oneof the loops |49l |52 and put on the other, and when register device |33is released the connections are again restored to A normal.

The play and scoring displays as distinguished from the running displaysof the diamond`A are designated Y, Figs. 1, 2 and 16. These displane.

plays are also in electric lamps as has heretofore been said. They areoperated not from integrating switch unit T directly, but indirectlythrough the registers R. 'Ihese registers R. as Y Well as thecorresponding displays Y are designated by legends as follows, inaccordance with the play and score. Thus as they appear in each of Figs.l, 2, 5, 15 and 16, and particularly in the order from top to bottom asthey appear in Figs. 5 and v15, they are designated balls, strikes,outs, innings, scores red and scores blue."

All of the registers are generally of the same `type as the register|33, comprising longitudinally reciprocable bars |54 provided on oneside with ratchet teeth |55 and reciprocable longitudinally by means ofsystems of pawls. The showing is diagrammatic but it is believed quiteclear.' The bars |54 are borne on roller bearings |53. 'Ihey are biasednormally by weights (or equivalent devices) W to normal so-called zeroregistering positions against stops |51. Suitable guides and retainingdevices not shown may be used to keep the bars in given paths.Preferably they are located side by side in parallel relation and withtheir bottom edges |59 in a common As shown diagrammatically, however,it is as if they were located one above the other. The ratchet teeth |55provided are oi' the same dimension and their operating and retainingpawls have in general the same length oi stroke, but the number ofratchet teeth on each register is different. The retaining pawls |59,however,

are located in transverse alignment with each other and are commonlyoperable from a compound operating shaft |50. through operating crankarms ISI, whereby all of the registers may be released at one and thesame time by oscillation of shaft |60 through the manual crank armcommonly operable but provided each with a different operatingmechanism, excepting only the case of the scoring registers. Eachregister is provided with a contact arm |64 which plays over a series ofcontacts |65. These contacts |65 vary in number according to the numberot lamps in the corresponding displays Y and are connected each with itscorresponding display Y by a corresponding number of conductors |66.Thereby whenever any register is operated, connection to a source ofpower is effected for the lamps of the corresponding display Y over oneor another of the conductors of the groups |66 and successively thelamps |61 o1' the displays Y are illumined. A

The operating pawl |63 of the balls register is connected forreciprocatory operation by wire link |68 (see Figs. 15 and 5) to thecrank arm |68 of an oscillating shaft |10 provided with a flap |1|depending into that one of the paths P designated B. Thus whenever aball courses path B engaging the -flap |1|, pawl |63 of the |65 of anoscillating shaft |86 (reference now to Fig. 5) having an arm and linkconnection |81, |88, |89, with an oscillating shaft |30 provided withaps |8| depending in the paths of the out series designated,respectively, HO, FO, etc. Each of a series of three .coursings of theball over the paths of this series at large may therefore operate the"outs" display Y as has been described in connection with the operationof the balls" and strikes displays, there being provided three ratchetteeth |55 in position for successive operation of the bar |54 from itsnormal zero position.

The strikes register is also arranged to op erate the outs" register.This is through the provision oi a latterally projecting arm |92 onballs register is moved forwardly, leaving the the four lamps |61associated with the ballsK display Y (see Fig. 16) As the ball passesbeyond the flap |1| on the path, the pawl |63 iis-restored to its normalpositionin which it rests upon the shield |12 as shown.

There are provided four ratchet teeth in position to be engagedsuccessively by successive i operations of pawl |63, whereby four balls"may be registered. Connected with the rear end of the bar |54 of theballs register is a wire link |13 (see Fig. 5) which extends rearwardly(to the left) and projects through wire loop .|14 on the end of ahorizontally disposed bell crank |15, and terminates in-abutment |16.Movement of the register bar |54, four teeth forwardly to register thefourth "ball results in engagement of the wire loop |14 by the abutmentR16, swinging bell crank |15 about. This bell crank connects through alink |11 with a gate |18 in that wall 15 which separates the balls pathB from the path FS immediately adjoining. This path is that coursed bythe ball for thel registration of a one base hit and contains (asinspection ,will show), four of the flaps 11 of the operating mechanismO of the switching unit T. Thus when gate |18 is opened to its dottedline position against its restoring spring |18, the ball on the path Bis deflected (or switched) by it A into the path FS and a one baseadvance may be registered on the diamond display A.

The operating pawl |63 of the strikes register is similarly operated bya link connection |00 (Figs. 15 and 5), with crank |8| of an oscillatingshaft |82 on which depends ilap |83 hito the strikes path designated S.In this case there lare provided three ratchet teeth in position to `thebar |54 of the strikes register adapted to engage and move forwardly thepawl |63 adapted `as shown in dotted lines to engage and more forwardlythe pawl |63 of the outs" register, but only when. the third strike isbeing registered. This is because there is provided a distance betweenthe zero position of arm |92 and pawl |63 of the outs registersubstantially equal to the length of two ratchet teeth |55.

The innings register does not have its pawl |63 operable from any one ofthe paths P coursed by the ball. Instead its pawl |63 is operable onlythrough engagement with a laterally projecting arm |03 on the outsregister similar to the arm |92 of the strikes" register. The distancebetween arm |93 and pawl |63 which lies in its path is likewise thelength of two ratchet teeth |55, whereby after two outs" have beenregistered and a third out is in process of being registered, pawl |63of the innings register is operated from its shields |12 into engagementwith the innings bar |54 to move it one tooth forward, and therebyregister one inning, and effect the corresponding display on the inningsdisplay Y of the board 44.- Every time three outs" are registered, oneinning is regis tered.

The scoring registers on the other hand have their pawls |63 connectedin common to a bodily transversely reciprocable but transverselyextending shaft |84 provided with crank arms |95, slidably Journaled. ina fixed frame |91. This shaft. |234 is oscillable through a crankconnection |55 with a wire link |09 connected through reverse lever200and wire link 20| with a wire crank 202 journaled in base 89 of theswitching unit T adjoining the home plate stud 84H. This crank 202 (seeFigs. 6, 8 and 9 to 14) has an upper arm 203 in the form of a sweepwhich lies directly in the path of the bight 204 of the crank arms 89 ofthe cranks 96 through which the contact blades 82 are moved into and outof contacting relation with the studs 84 controlling the are movedforwardly to engage one or the other of the bars |54 of the scoringregisters, thereby to register one score. Crank arms 99 are held steadyin the engagement of their bights with the sweep 203 through the passageof their small oisets 204a in this region beneath a projection 205 fromthe top of the base plate 89. The length of projection 205 is butsufficient to retain the crank arms 99 in engagemeritwith the sweep 203sufllciently long to eii'ect the registration, and insufficiently longto affect theaction of the Determination of which of the scoringregisters "red" or blue shall be operated is eiIected by transversemovement of the oscillating shaft 96 against the pressure of spring 2 06(see Fig. 15) by means of an arm 201 connected with the shaft |96 andbearing by small roller 209l against the sinusoidal formation 209 Vonthe bar |54 of the "innings register. The pitch of the sinusoid ismeasured by the length or two of the teeth |55 of the innings register,whereby the roller 203 bears alternately upon the crests andthedepressions of the -sinusoid and alternately therefore shifts pawls|63 laterally in opposite directions. The lateral spacing between thepawls |63 is such that in the one case pawl |63 of the red register isin alignment with its teeth |55and in the other case pawl |63 of the"blue register is in alignment with its teeth. 'I'he shield |12 is ofsuch form and arrangement that' both pawls are normally held out ofengagement. Due to the fact that the distance between lthe two pawls |63is different from the distance between the respective bars |54 only oneof the corresponding rows of teeth |55 can be in engagement at a time.The distances differ by the amplitude of throw of the sinusoid 209.'I'hus on alternate innings the display on register Y is for thehindmost system of flaps |24 associated with the paths P over which theprojected ball courses.

|24 are the tlnal release system of iiaps. 'I'he "outs register isreleased as a result oi lregistration of the third out, because afterthe second out (see F18. 15) hook or dog 2|2 lies in the lower portionof slot 2|3. i

A similar system of the parts 2|2 to 2|5, respectively, is connectedwith the strikes" register eiective to bring about release of thestrike`s" register'after the third strike has been registered, the dropin the groove 2|3 being removed a distance equal to the length of twoteeth |55 from dog 2|2. Such release due to the absence oi one waycoupling' 2|0 between strikes" and "balls registers will also bringabout release of the balls register. Moreover this release is eiected bya wire link 2|1 and crank arm 2|8 with the same general release shaft||6 from which the outs" register is released.

The "strikes register, however, is provided with another means ofrelease, a release from the balls register, for it is necessary to re-Reds and the intermediate "innings for the rection coupling 2|0 in shaft|60 between the innings register and the outs register and a similar onedirection coupling 2|0 between the outs register and the strikesregister. Shaft |60 is, however, unbroken between the scoring registers,and innings" register and again unbroken between the strikes registerand the balls register, whereby the retaining pawls |59 of the statedgroups xedly connected together are at all times of operation operatedin common. The direction of the one way couplings 2|0 is such thatwhenever therelease of the ixmings and scoring registers is effected thereleases oi all the others is effected. This same directional relationresults in the fact that the outs register may -be released withoutaffecting the innings and scorings" registers, but requires thatwhenever the outs" register is released the strikes and balls registersare also released.

Release of the outs register is by means of a wire link 2|| (see Figs.15 and 5), connected to reciprocate a hook 2|2 in a direction changingslot 2|3 in an upright plate 2|4 carried by bar |54 to move therewith.Normally, slot 2|3 keeps the dog 2|2 raised so that it cannot engage theupper end of the bell crank 2|5 which carries the retaining pawl |53,but the direction of the slot 2|3 changes downwardly after adisregistration of the second out dog 2|2 drops behind the crank 2|5,and then when link 2|| is operated, pawl |59 will be released. Wire link2|| (now see Fig. 5) connects through crank arm 2|6 with that samegeneral release shaft ||3 already described as governing the retractionof the oif" stops I0| .associated with the contact plates 32. This shaftlill is operated from the -tance oi two ratchet teeth |55, whereby afterlease the "strikes register whenever four balls have been registered,just as surely as it is necessary to release the balls register wheneverthree strikes have been registered. This release from the balls registeris eiected by a connection of its bell crank 2|5 over link 2|9 andthrough crank arm 220 with that same shaft |40 lying immediately behindthe shafts of the operating mechanism O, from which release oi theregister device |33 is effected.

'I'he outs register R (see now Fig. 5) is provided with a specialconnection 22| with a lost motion wire link 222 which is looped over oneend of a lever 223. The opposite end of the lever 223 supports slidablyby an eyelet 224, the end oi a wire loop 225 which is connected by'awire 226 with crank 221 operable from a shaft 226 which is oscillableyby four depending ilaps 229, one oi.' which depends in each' of thepaths P of the out series FO, SO. Lever,223 is normally biased to theposition shown (see Figs. 5 and 6) by means of a spring 230, but whenlever 223 is oscillated the lost motion link 225 becomes hooked over theend of crank arm |09 associated with that oil-stop |0| associated withthe home plate position 64H. 'Ihe length of lost motion link 222 is suchthat operation of lever 223 to aect this hook-up occurs only after twoouts have been registered. Thus on the third coursing of a ball throughan outs channel of the FO, SO series off stop |0| associated with thehome plate position is raised and all contact blades 62 are moved to offposition before they reach the home pla-te position 84H.

The "innings register at every change of inning through an extension 233from the shaft |96 operates switch 234 alternately connecting the sourceo f power by common lead 235 to the common control conductors |41, |40governing the red and the blue displays, respectively.

The apparatus so organized functions as follows in the play of the game.

Either of the board organizations of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 being in use andthe ball being rolled. tossed or pitched at the target 45, 46. if itstrikes within the confines of the large diamond A, has

eye receptacle 45 may lodge either in the receptacle 48 or upon theground of the diamond A just outside of it. It the latter it drops totrough 41.

Let us assume the two players are playing innings against each other,the one playing for the "reds and the other for the blues," and followthe game with each player. In this case the lever 66 has been previouslymoved to set the sections of gate 63, 83a to the dotted line positionsshown in Fig. 3 whereby receptacle 45 l is connected through channel 48and aperture 85ato the strikes" path S and receptacle 41 is opened bypath 50 to the hits" paths oi' the series FS, FO, SS, SO, etc. When apitched ball strikes the bulls eye receptacle 45 of the target,therefore, it courses the strike path S and registers a strike When itstrikes the outer ring receptacle 46 it courses channel 48 and aperture10 and the balls path B to register a ball-, and when it strikes theground outside of the concentric receptacles 45, 46 it drops to thetrough 41 and courses channel 58 and one of the eight paths of the hitsseries FS, FO, etc., to register either a safe hit or an "ou hit. Thusthe pitching of the one player is to the bulls eye in an endeavor tostrike the other out by three coursings of the' ball through the strikechannel S. A skillful player may readily effect three strike Vregistersin succession. If his skill is short on one or more throws he mayregister one or more balls through striking within the annularreceptacle 48. vThe manner in which the coursings of the ball over thepaths S and B of Fig. 5 effects operations of the strikes" and ballsregisters and through the strikes" register the operation of the outsregister, has been so recently and fully described as to need norepetition at this point. Sufiice it to say that the registration andthe displays follow the throws of the ball so rapidly and so accuratelythat the game can proceed with any desired rapidity without error andwith all the zest of a regular ball game. Even with an intermediate baseor two on balls, three outs on strikes" out can be effected by a skilledplayer in the same number of pitched balls and less elapse of 'timeinterval than in the actual baseball game.

Bases on balls, it will be remembered, become displayed on the diamond Aas a result of four successive coursings of the ball in channel B withinplaying by a given player short of three strikes, an out," or a basehit. The base on balls display is effected through the opening of gate|18 to the dotted line position upon the coursing of the fourth ball inchannel B. To this end gate |18 is located in the path B between thedepending flap |1| through which the balls" register is operated andthat series of four flaps 11 on shaft 18 lying in the path FS. Gate |18is a suiTlcient distance in the rear of the flap |1| and a suilicientdistance in advance of the flaps 11 to give time for the balls registerto fully open the gate before the ball in its course reaches the gate.The four shaft oscillations caused by the coursing of the ball under theflaps 11 operate pawl 81 and ratchet 8B four times to move that contactblade 82 of the switch T which at the beginning of the coursing lies atthe home plate position 84H successively into contact with the contactstuds 84 from home plate to the first base position 84F (see also Fig.5), and to bring blade 82 to rest at the rst base stud 84F. Thereby thesource of power is conne ted successively to those conductors |43 whichcontrol the lamps 82 which extend from the home plate position 82H tothe first base position BIF coming to rest on the first base position621i' and displaying therefore the movement of the player to and hisrest upon first base. As this operation closes the further coursing ofthe ball along the path FS, which lt now occupies carries it under flap|4| connected with the oscillable release shaft |48 and this throughconnections 2|! and 220 effects release of both the balls and strikesregisters as heretofore described, not only obliterating the balls andstrikes displays theretofore existing, but also enabling spring |19 torestore the gate |18 to its normal position as part of the wall 15between the balls path B and the one-base hit path FS.

Should the players skill be ineffective and the ball strike the face ofthe diamond A and course through the receptacle 41 to the hits" channelsof the series FS, FO, SS, etc., it will result in the display upon thediamond A of the run of a player for base in a manner entirely similarto that described in connection with the base on balls" procedure justnow described, except that in the instance of coursing in the second,third or fourth base safe hit channels of the series SS, DS, HS, thecontactA blade 82 which lies on the home plate contact 84H at the outsetof the coursing o! the ball will be progressed, respectively, througheight contact positions to the contact 84S, I2 contact positions to thecontact 84D and I8 contact positions to the contact 84H, thusdisplaying, respectively, second base and third base hits and home runs.In each such case, the stepping of the switch T of the integrating unitby the ratchet and pawl 86, 81 is as rapid as the coursing of the ballalong its path, the successive flaps 'I1 being engaged in rapidsuccession. The speed of the ball on its course depends jointly upon'theinitial velocity of the throw of the player and the incline of the pathsP downwardly toward their ends. This return inclination of the path maybe made of any degree desired and thereby the rate of runs displays onthe diamond A controlled relatively independently 0f the initialvelocity of the pitched ball. Relative inclinations and abruptness ofthe receptacles 45, 46, 41 and the channels 48, 49, 50 and of the gates68 and trough 69, etc., may likewise be alternatively adapted toappropriately regulate the velocity of the ball upon the paths P.

If the ball once entered upon the hits" paths of the FS, FO, SS, S0,etc., series, instead of striking the safe" hits FS, SS, etc., strikesin one l of the "outs" paths FO, SO, the integrating switch T is movedthe same number of steps by the ratchet and pawl 86, 81 by reason of theidentity of the number of depending flaps `1'| in these complementarypaths, but While the running of the player is displayed throughsuccessive contacting of the blade 82 commencing its movement from thehome plate 84H at the opening of the coursing, over the contacts 84intervening between the home plate position 84H and that particularcontact 84F, 84S, 84D or 84H measuring the value of the hit, thisparticular blade 82 commencing the play never comes to rest upon thecontact which is the measure of the hit. This for the reason that justahead ofthe fourth flap 11 from the last in the channel FO, SO, etc.,coursed by the ball, is a ap on an oscillating shaft individual to thatoiT stop 0| identified with the particular base contact in question, andwhen the ball strikes iap through connection ||2, H8, link ||4,etc.,stop |0| is proiected into the path of-crank arm IM identined with thatblade 82 in question, and when crank I strikes the stop IIII, crank I0is turned to engage its crank arm 8l in the oset |02 of the blade, thusremoving it from the contacts 84 5 and retaining it so removed. Bylocating the flaps Ill betweenthe last of those ilaps 11 identifled withthe base immediately preceding the base measuring the value of the hit.and the first 0! the ilaps 11 identified with the base measur- 10 ingthe value of the hit, the completion of runs from plays previouslyreaching bases is not interfered with on an outs hit. .Thus if there bevrunners displayed on first, second and third base through illuminationof lamps 62F, 62S and 82D 15 vand an outs hit" of a fourth basevaluation is in process of display through the coursing of a ball inchannel 1:10,' then the two blades 82, respectively, at the outsetresting upon contacts 84H and '84D remain in contact with studs 84 20until the homeplate position 84H is reached, and there effect thevdisplay of a home run and appropriate scoring. However, immediatelyfollowing the reach of that blade 82 which may have been initiallyresting on contact BIF to 25 show a run on first base, reaches stud 84Hand displays its run, stop IM identiiled with the home plate position isprojected by the then engagement of the ilapvlli lying in they HO path,and the while the run display being made by that blade 30 t2 whosecoursing was initiated at contact 84H by the four base outs hit ispermitted to continue right up to the home plate position 62H, it isprevented from making' the home plate 62H,

for Just before blade 82 reaches the home plate 35 contact 84H |04strikes its now projecting stop illi and is moved to an o position.

The same is 'true in connection with each of the stops Illl. Forexample, if there be a displayat the rst base position as byillumination oi' one 40 ofthe lamps 62E from contact of blade 82 withstud MF, and a play is made to course the ball on path SO of two base"outs hit" value, this results in advancing the display then on the nrstbase position 62F to a 'display position at 45 third, 62D. However, theou stop lili identied with the second base position 84S is not projecteduntil that blade 82 at theoutset oi the operation on the ilrst baseposition MF has reached and passed the second base positioned and anydisplays of "balls or "strikes which ed may have preceded the hit, thusmaking ready for the next play or player as the case may be.

in any case in which the hit" has coursed an "outs" path` as FO, SO,etc., the ball also strikes the ilap iti. Thus through connections it,mi, t5

ist, itt, registering an "out" as previously de scribed. In any suchcase, when ,there have been previously registered two outs the thirdsuch' outs registered :lust as in the case of the third out" registeredas a result oi three strikes." 7@

results in release of each oi the "outs," strikes and balls registers.This is by reason oi the striking of one oi the dans tit in the channelsoi the FO, SO series yet further in advance oi the being crank I2I, thewirel20. the shaft Ill and the release connections .2li and 2H. Flaps|24 are a sufliclent distance |23 in advance of the flaps 11, Ill andIll yto give time for the making of the last of the displays occasionedby coursing of the ball under these latter ilaps before the release iseifected. A matter of from one to three feet would be a correct suchdistance.

This release operation through the-connections II5 and III tiedto'theoscillated shaft IIB also edects the release of any of the "ou stops Illwhich may have been projected into its "contact oil position throughcoursing-of the ball past flaps I I I in paths of the 110. SO series.

.Thus the play integrating unit T carries forward the base runningdisplays in an orderly and accurate manner. Thus each base hit madeadvances all previous "safe hits" in the degree to which the particularhit is evaluated by the path coursed. This is true whether the play issafe or ou Thus "base onballs similarly advances each safe display. Thusrunning displays of unsafe or outs" hits are discontinued before thebase of evaluation is reached and continues "out. This latter is to 4saythat if-there are displays on first and second base positions 82E' and62S andV a one base out is made, the first and second base displays arerun to second and third base positions, respectively, and the immediateplay stops short oi.' first base position. Thereupon if there'ensuescoursing of the ball onzchannel SS for example. the displays now onsecond and third bases are advanced'successively to the home plateposition and the absence of display on the ilrst base position isadvanced as an absence and without illumination of any oi the lamps allthe way from first base position to third base position synchronouslywith the advance of the latest display from home plate position tosecond base position, where the lamps 62B are illumined and continueillumined to display the safe hit. This is because that 'blade 82 whichoriginally registered the out hit at first base through move'- ment awayfrom the studs 84 before reaching first base contact NF, remains awayfrom studs il throughout the remainder of its coursing to the home plateposition I-I.

Every time any blade 02 reaches stud 84H identied with the home plateposition in contact therewith, crank arm 89 engages by its bight 2M thearm iti (see Figs. 5, 'l and 8) and operates the appropriate one of thescoring registers to register the display of a score. Very obviously inall cases where the crank arms 99 have been swung about by the butsstops'li to move blades di to on position, the bisht of the crank arm itlies beyond the end radially inwards of the crank arm ist of the scoringregisters and there is no score registered. This operation of thescoring registers and scoring display follows quiteso rapidly as thedisplay of runs indicates that runners have reached the home plateposition simultaneously, in other words, si-i multaneously with or justfollowing the operation of the display lamps 62H identied with the homeplate position.

Each time that a contact blade t2 succeeding that initiating a displaypasses the home plate contact Bt and goes beyond, as for example, onaccount of any play of an evaluation above that of a one base hit, suchsucceeding blade 82 is either retained in the olf position in which itreached the contact MH, or moved from the dans il, iti and iii, theoperating connection 75 on position in which it reached contact till andthere effected the display of a run to an oil position. This is effectedin order to prevent the integrating switch T from making more than onediamond display for plays of greater hit value than that of a one basehit. This is brought about through the stop |88 which normally occupiesthe position in the path which is followed by crank arms 88 in their ottposi tions. In s uch normal position stop |88 engages the olf" crankarms 88 and trips the cranks 88 to release the blades 82 into contactwith the studs 84. This is intended to happen for each blade 82 whichreaches position' 84H in the "olf" position, whereby the "runningdisplay is eil'ected from the studs immediately in ad vance of the homeplate stud 84H, irrespective of whether the blades 82 reach the homeplate H in on position or not. On each play, however, beyond the rstbase contact 84F the stop |88 is moved to the "oiT position radiallyoutwardly of its "on position, and in thisl "05 position in the path ofthe "on positions of the crank arms 88, whereby the blade 82 initiatingthe play having passed beyond the stop |88, all succeeding blades 82which during the continuance of the play thereafter pass it are moved tooif position.

This is effected by the connections |28, |21, |3|, |32, with theregister device |33. The lever |32 is initially contacted by the bar |33after pawl |38 has moved the device one tooth forward, that is to say,after the ratchet 8,8, 8l has moved the initiating blade 82 to the firststud 84 beyond the home plate position 84H. On the second step of switchT that from the rst to the second stud 84 beyond the stud 84H, lever|32is rocked has also engaged Just under the projecting'ledge 285 of thebase 88. Thereupon as the next step (see now Fig. 12) takes the blade 82into contact with lthe stud 84H todisplay a run reaching home plate, thebight 284 frees the arm 283 and is itself freed from retension by theledge 285.`

to move the stop |88 into its 0115" position as described. 'I'here beingbut two teeth as shown Y back of the actuating pawl |38 on the bar |33,bar |33 stops in this position, retaining stop |88 in the "oil. positionthroughout the remainder of the immediate play. Thus it is that no otherblade 82 than that which initiates the play from the home plate position84H can bring about a running display. At the close of the runningdisplay the coursing of the ball past any one of the iiaps |4| in thepaths of the hits series,

-FO, SO, SSetc., through connections |38, |38

operates release pawl |31 of the device |33, permitting it to berestored to its normal position against the stop, in which there againlie two teeth back of the point of the pawl |35.

'I'hese various functionings of the integrating unit T may be the betterunderstood by a study of the detail of Figs. 6 to 14, especially ofFigs. 9 to 14. Note first Fig. 9, in which is illustrated an approach ofa blade '82 to the home plate position 84H while the blade 82 is yet in"on position contacting with the studs 84, but in which a stop |8| hasbeen projected upwardly as indicated by the dot within its head, (afterelectrical.. symbolism) and lies therefore in the path of the crank arm|84 in its "on position. The crank arm |84 has just touched the stopI8I. Fig. 10 shows relations of the partsv upon the next ensuing step ofthe switch T. 'I'he crank |84 has swept over and past the upwardlyprojected stop |8| and thereby been turned through substantially .90 tosweep the associated crank arm 88 into engagement with the blade 82 andinto latching engagement with the seat |82 on the blade 82, whereby theblade 82 is moved out of contacting engagement with the studs 84 andlocked in such position.

Next note Figs. 11 to l2 which illustrate a 75 Figures 13 and 14illustrate in detail the functioning of the stop |88. A blade 82 inFigure 13 is shown as having reached thehome plate position 84H in oilposition. Stop |88'is about to be engaged by crank arm 88. Figure 14shows that stop |88 has been engaged by crank arm 88a and crank arm 88swept downwardly to releaseV the retaining arm 88 from blade seat |82and enable blade 82 to contact with the first stud 84 beyond the homeplate position 84H and commence the display of running to iirst base.Itis the reverse of thisl which happens when stop |88 is in-the dottedline position shown in Fig. 14. Here it lies in the paths of crank arms|84 in their on position Just as do the stops |8|when projected to beswept over by the arms |84 and` move them to "ofE positions as shown inFig. 13. Thereby blades 82 may not, after they leave the home plate stud84H again eentact with studs 84, except in of course blades 82 whichinitiate displays from the home plate position 84H as depicted in fullin Figs. 13 and'l4.

Thrcugh contact |8| identified with the register device |33 (see Fig. 5)the batter-up lamp |53 operated over circuit |82 and normally i1-lumined is put out to obliterate the batter's display the moment thatthe integrating device ,'l'

makes its first step. This is by reason of the engagement of the upperend of the lever IBI by the pin |5|a on the side of the bar |33. 'Ihecircuit |52 is not again closed until device |33 has been released. Thisis after the play has been completed and another batters display shouldbe made.

Simultaneously with the obliteration of the normal batters display lamp|53, the circuit |48 of the homeplate display at lamps 82H is enabled byclosure of switch lever I 88 upon its comple'- mental contact. This doesnot happen at exactly the same moment, however, because the upper end ofswitch |88 is separated from stop pin Illa which is to engage it by thespace of one tooth, the same space which separates the end of the device|33 from the upper end of lever |32. Thus upon the second step of switchT from the initial position of any play, the display lamps 82H areenabled, and they remain enabled until the end of the play. 'I'hus runscompleted to home plate are displayed during any play. Thus at the closeof each play, fresh display of batter up" is made.

So the game apparatus functions to enable the players to play the gameand to enthuse their interest with the rapidity. the accuracy and therealism of the actual baseball play. Yet none of these numerous butsimple movements of the simple apparatus are beheld by the players. Theysee but the results of their skill, and they feel but the zest of thegame. for all of this apparatus is housed beneath the coverings abovethe paths coursed bythe ball. Only the target and the displays areexposed.

As innings are played, each time three outs are registered the inningsregister displays an additional half inning in appropriate red or blueand through the connection 233 and 234 similarly shifts the colors ofthe downward displays. The scoring registers respectively control lampsof different colors. Thus the game can be played for nine or anyadditional number of innings and to any reasonable number of scores,keeping up good order by the colors, as well as accurate inningindication and accurate scoring.

At the close oi the game the players restore the apparatus to normal bysimply pushing crank arm H29 inwardly to engage clutch |26 and turningblades 82 through one complete revolution, thereby through stop |60(during this movement in its ofi position) moving all of the blades 82commonly to oii" position, which position they properly occupy to startany game. Restoration is completed by oscillating theregister crank |62to release all six of the registers R. Thereupon a new game may bestarted by the same or dnerent players.

If the new game is to be a game without innings, then lever 6,5 is movedto shift the gate t3 to the full line position shown in Figs. 3 and 4.Thereupon striking the bulls eye receptacle it courses the ball over thehits paths ci the FS, FO, SS, SO series, and courses balls which strikethe ground of the diamond to receptacle tl and thence to the "strikespaths S. A man playing alone or any number of players, then throws forthe bulls eye to make the maximum oi scores possible, each for himself.Lacking or failing skill, balls are registered or strikea according asthe ring receptacle dii or the face of' the diamond are struck by thethrown balls. The arrangement of the scoring is such that two suchplayers can play against each other i'or the highest score, irrespectiveof innings, or two teams can so play. As illustrated, the inningsregister or function after each three outs but its display is simplydiscounted. Each player or each. team throws until three outs areregistered, whereupon their opponents are given their turn.

An apparatus organization so' fully meeting the game requirements and soflexible in adaptation necessarily is possessed of innumerablepossibilities oi modification without departing trom its generic spirit."it is outstandingly true as itis true oi most mechanisms, that thefunctionings may be carried out through the utilization of other itinclsof .power than those disclosed. Thus instead of mechanical power for alloi the integrating and registering operations, pneuinatidhydraulic,electric or other power might be utilized. ll have chosen to show inFigure i8 the operating mechanism O for the integrating mechanism T andthe registers R as it may be electrified.

Referring to Fig. lo which is a plan. form diagram ci the saine order asof Fig. 5, similar reference numerals and legends are utilized todesignate similar parts. However, instead of operation by flaps "itdepending in the paths l?, electric contacts its are located in thesepaths in position to be closed by the ball as it variously courses them.These contacts control a group ,ot tour relays fito. These tour relaysthrough a limit switch itt control driving motor ttt ior the integratingdevice T. IAccording to whether one or another of the relays 236 isenergized, the limit switch 231 operates to limit the operation of themotor to the driving of the integrating device T through variousmultiples of 90 up to 360, thus driving it to the various base positions84F, 84S, 84D and 34H.

The contacts 235 and the relays 236 have their numerals provided withsuillxes F, S. D, H, indicating their relation to the various basepositions 84F, 64S, etc. The relays arevconnected through brushes 233with the similarly distin.. guished (through suilix designations)limiting contact segments 240 of theswitch 231. each one of which from24F to 240H in order is successively 90 greater in extent than thepreceding one. There is one pair of contacts 235 provided for each baseposition, respectively. the safe and out position (thus one in eachv orthe channels FS and FO) and this pair is connected in parallel to thecorresponding relay 236 `(thus contacts 2351 connected to 236F). vTherelays are provided with locking contacts 24|, respectively connectingwith the brushes 239 of the limit switch 231, whereby they are locked upfor that period required for the limitv switch 231 to have thecorresponding brush 239 traverse the correspondv ing segment 240 (thusin lthe instance of relay 236F the segment 2461 extending through Limitswitch 231 is connected with the integrat ing switch T and the motor 238through a clutch 242 connected in parallel with the motor 233. Contacts243 of the relays in parallel control the motor and clutch. circuit.Thus thev motor and clutch circuits are closed as long as any one of therelays 236 is energized and this is as long as is required for the motorto drive the limit switch 231 through the extent of the particularsegment 240 through which the relay 236 is locked up.

This phase of the Aelectric operation should therefore be clearlyapparent. Take an example from a base position. It the contacts 235-Dassociated with paths DS and DO are either of them energized relay 23d-D is pulled up and locked up through segment MUD, whereupon theintegrating switch T and the limit switch 231 are driven by motor 23dthrough 270, the extent required to bring a contact plate starting fromthe home plate position MH to the third base position itD. At thisjuncture the associated brush. 239 leaves segment ttlJ-D and thecircuits oi motor 2th and clutch 2452 are broken, bringing switch T torest and unclutching the limit switch Ztl therefrom.

The clutched to the motor drive, is free to return to a determinatenormal position each time it is operated, thus measuring from adeterminate starting point each time, the angularity oi its movement.This determinate starting point is nxed by the engagement of a dog 2Mcarried by the switch with a fixed stop Mii. ways brought back to thisposition through the bias edected by a weight 2te or its equivalent.

if the ball coursing the path P is coursing a safe path, as for example,DS in the instance just now assumed, the appropriate blade 82 of theintegrating device T comes to rest on the contact at position ttD. If,however, the coursing is in an out" path, as for example, DO, theappropriate one of the stops lill is projected to bring about retractionof blade t2. To this end the relays itt control each a contact Ml, eachoi' which is individually identified with one only oi' the actuatingelectrode magnets or solenoids Mh through which stops mi are in thisembodiment limit switch 231i, because detachably operated through drafton a core or an armature in a manner so well-known that no furtherdescription or detail showing is required. However,

'thesestops |5| are not immediately operated tov to the home platecontact 54H as in the mechanical embodiment. Thus the` closure ofcontacts 241 merely ,enableI .the :circuits of magnets 245 withoutcompletely eiecting them. The complete eiIecting is through asupplementary ou relay 245 itself controlled by'multiple contacts 255inthe "outs" paths P only, and in turn through contact 25| governing theconnection of the contacts 241 byway of circuit 252 `which it controlsthroughcontact ring 253 on the limit switch 231 in multiple to the shortsupplemental segments 254 identified one with each o! the limit segments245 and terminating in the same radial line with these segments.Segments 254 are electrically insulated from segments 245 but closelyadjacent thereto, so close as'to be respectively connected therewith byreason of the width of the respective brushes 235 individual each to asegment 245. Thus while at the instantof pulling up of any relay 235 anduntil the final 30 or 45 degrees of movement of switch T for anyactuation, there is no energization of relays 245 and stops |5| are notprojected in the paths of crank arms |54. In this last 30 or 45 degreesor thereabouts, stops |5| are projected and therefore the blade 52representing a runner who is to be out at third base is moved to onposition'before the contact 54D is reached. The closure of contact 255energizes relay 245 which locks up through contacts 255 and lockingcircuit 255, presently to be described, closing and maintaining closedcontacts 25|. The moment the wide ends of brushes 235 strike the shortsegments 254, power is placed upon contacts 241, and there is energizedthat relay 245 which is identified through contact241 with that relay255 which has pulled up-in this instance relay 255D energizing thesolenoid 245-D identiiied with contact 54D.

Locking circuit 255 extends through a normally open limit switch 251which is opened against the pressure oi' spring 255 by the dog 244whenever the switch is in its normal position asiliustrated. but closedwhen the switch moves a few degrees away from normal po'sition andmaintained closed until the switch is returned to normal position. Thusreturn of the limit switch 231 to normal position opens switch 251 andunlocks relay 245. This, however, is after any relay 245 energized as aresult of energization of one of the relays 235 has been de-energizedsimultaneously with passage oiI contact 245 of associated brush 255 ofthe limit segments with resultant release of relay 235 and opening ofcontacts 241. Therefore, return movement of the switch 2 31 does notreenergize solenoid 245.v a

For orderly succession of operation the conn tacts 255 are located aconsiderable distance 255 (say from one to three feet) in advance of thenearest of the contacts 235. Contacts 235, if

, over-its upper end.

positions when the magnets 245 are deenergized as described. Y l

Stop |55 is simply operated through a magnet 255. Its normal position,as in the mechanical embodiment, is such that it operates crank arms 55to throw the blades 52 into "on" position. When solenoid 255 isenergized it is pulled radially outward into the path of movement ofarms |54 to throw them into the off position. Magnet 255 is controlledfrom circuit 25| from a limit switch 252 normally o pen, but which isoperated into closed position by passage of the dog 244 (Note the dottedlinepositions of the switches 251 and 252.) The distance 255 between theswitches 251 and 252 is such that limit switch 231 and that contactwhich starts from the home-plate contact 54H has passed be- \\vond stop|55 before switch 252 is operated by lug 244.' Thus the run isinstituted. Yet-immediately following, the magnet -255 is energized vand 'stop |55 projected in the'paths of arms |54,

preventing any subsequent -blade 52 from iny stituting a run until thatblade which has started desired, may be located in rectilinear alignmenttransversely of the troughs.

There is required no special restoring device for stops |5| as in themechanical embodiment, for .l

the run from contact 84H shall have completed its run. vOn thecompletion of the run the return of switch 231 to the normal positionillustrated results in dog 244 passing switch 252 without 0perating itsince its end is beyond the engagement of the dog, but when dog 244strikes switch 251 to open switch 251 thevhoolr 254 carried by switch251 engages over a pin 255 on the switch 252 and operates it to openposition, thus deenergizing solenoid 255 and restoring stop |5| to itsnormal position. v

The registers R are most simply operated by applying to their respectiveoperating and release pawls |55 and |55, operating and release magnets255 and 251. These magnets strikes" and outs are respectively operatedby actuating contacts 255 and vrelease contacts 255. The actuating andrelease contacts 255, 255 are respectively located in the same paths Pand in the same relative positions in those paths as are -the associatedmechanical flaps in the mechanical embodiment. Thus the actuatingcontacts 255 for the strikes, and outs" registers are located in therespective strike, and outs paths S and FO, SO, etc. The energizing oractuating circuits from the contacts 258 need no special designationbecause they are outstandingly identiiied with the registers on whichthe legends are printed, strikes and outs." However, it should be statedthat the balls, strikes release circuit 215 (for release on hits playsto paths FS, FO, etc.) corresponds to the release achieved throughconnections 2|5, 225 of Fig. 5 and is operated with solenoid 255 fromcircuit 25|, while the release circuit v21| (for releaseon three outs"or three strikes) corresponds to that achieved through shaft |22 andconnections |25 and |2| of Fig'. 5 identiiied with release through threestrikes and three outs."

The operation of the scoring registers through the actuating magnets 255results in simpliication oi' the shift from blues" to reds." That magnet255 is energized whose connection to the source of power is eiectedthrough that same switch 254 which controls the circuits |41 and |45effecting shift of team colors on the display board (Figs. 5 and 16).`Actual energization is' over a circuit 212 controlled from contact 213opened and closed by scoring crank 252 identifled with the integratingdevice T.

Restoration at the ends of innings is simply achieved from a restoringpush button 214 which energizes and locks up relay 235-H over circuit

